Renée Claude

Claude, Renée

Renée Claude, stage name of Renée Bélanger, singer (b at Montréal 3 July 1939). While her early repertoire consisted of French songs, Claude soon became known for her interpretation of songs by Québec writers such as Jean-Pierre FERLAND, Stéphane Venne, Clémence Desrochers and Luc PLAMONDON. In 1960 she made her first appearance on Radio-Canada television. In 1968 she was awarded the trophy for best performer in Montréal's Gala des Artistes. Two years later she performed with the MONTREAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at PLACE DES ARTS. She has also appeared in the US, France, Belgium, Poland, the USSR, Japan, Greece and Venezuela. Her biggest hits include "C'est notre fête aujourd'hui,""Le Tour de la terre,""C'est le début d'un temps nouveau" and "Ce soir je fais l'amour avec toi."

Renée Claude began a parallel acting career in 1990, both on stage and on television, first appearing in the Michel TREMBLAY/André GAGNON opera Nelligan. She subsequently acted in several theatre productions, a TV drama, and in the international success Georges Brassens: j'ai rendez-vous avec vous.

In 1996 Renée Claude received the Prix Charles-Cros in Paris for her homage to Léo Ferré, the album On a marché sur l'amour. Since then 2 compilation albums of her greatest hits have appeared, and she continues her international touring.